Thursday, October 30, 2014

Now that I have secured some stuff to create a makeshift
Ebola protection suit, it is definitely time to kick back and relax for the
evening. I am actually working two different costumes tomorrow, first with some
Ebola moments followed by some Nightmare of Elm Street/Freddy Kruger time. Now,
to the blog; next up the 2013 indie flick Specter.

Plot/ The town of Midground is threatened by a tsunami
caused by a massive earthquake in the North Pacific Ocean. After other
unexplainable events transpire, Chase Lombardi and friends are forced to
discover whether they are experiencing a natural phenomenon or something else
all together.

Specter is an intriguing flick that definitely takes on
multiple genres inside its condensed storyline. While it is an interesting mix
of found-footage drama, Sci-Fi and thriller, it possibly bit off more than it
could handle. Unfortunately, the found-footage aspects of the film may of led
to some of the unrefined and uneven moments inside (although, that format does
lead to a few of the highlights of the film). Yes, there are some positives
with the interesting story and decent nature effects, but those cannot overcome
the unevenness built from some of the camera decisions and visualizations. In
the end, this is definitely more of a supernatural themed thriller than
straight horror flick and will not be for everyone. Sure, it has some good
moments, but for the most part, it does not match its overall potential.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

After taking the past days figuring out the software for my
college math class, it was definitely time to kick back and be caught up with
some of the movies from the past two days. Fortunately, I had a Halloween
parade to attend tonight and it allowed me to relax some (although the born
again preacher calling all of us sinners and telling us that the candy from the
parade was the flesh of Satan did get old after the first 45 minutes). Next up for review is the 2013 independent
flick The Devil Incarnate (AKA Copiii:
The 1st Entry).

Plot/ The future looks bright for newlyweds Trevor and
Holly, but their dreams are about to devolve into a nightmare of unspeakable
terror. On a random visit to a tarot reader, they encounter a mysterious old
woman who tells them that Holly is pregnant. But soon, their joy is
overshadowed by a mounting sense of dread that something sinister lurks within
Holly’s womb

From its early moments, it was clear that The Devil
Incarnate would be a movie that had no middle ground. One would either hate it
or enjoy it. Personally, I found it an interesting watch that quenched my
thirst for something with a dark and heavy tenor. This hybrid found footage
flick had just enough storyline, solid performances, and one of the better
soundtracks I have heard in some time. Unfortunately, the ending left a lot to
be desired and with a minimal (75 or so minute) runtime, more time was needed
to pull everything together in a more cohesive manner. Yes, I like vague
endings, but this was a little too vague. In the end, this was better than I
expected, but did not reach its total potential. With Halloween only days away,
this one could help fill a small void in your viewing schedule.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

I decided to watch Krampus, but could not get into it at all
and actually fell asleep after about 20 minutes. Stay away! To make up for that
once I woke up, I decided to watch something a touch different and ventured
into the After Dark Horrorfest for the 2009 entry Dread.

Plot/ Three college students set out to document what other
people dread most.

I am a huge Clive Barker fan and have no idea how I missed
this adaptation of his short story. On top of that, it was part of the After
Dark Horrorfest, crazy. This movie was definitely one of the better films I
have seen from that series, with an original storyline, solid technical
attributes, and a clear vision into darkness. The performances are decent; the
pacing works, and it truly out does its budget. Yes, there are some uneven parts, but those do
nothing to truly drag this one down. In the end, this is one of the better
psychological horror flicks I have seen in some time, and a flick that should
be seen. If you have not watched it, give it a shot!

Saturday, October 25, 2014

After watching The Purge: Anarchy last night, I decided I
wanted to spend the afternoon today with something a little more lighthearted.
Luckily, I had something here already that would fit the bill. Next up is that
flick, the 2014 horror/comedy Life After Beth.

Plot/ A young man's recently deceased girlfriend mysteriously
returns from the dead, but he slowly realizes she is not the way he remembered
her.

There are sometimes when I enjoy a little dark humor, and
this indie flick fit the bill. While not sidesplitting funny, there were enough
subtle comedic moments to keep me watching. The performances are solid, the
idea interesting, and the cast works. Sure, the script may be a little thin,
there are some minor plot holes and it is more of a teen angst/dark comedy than
a horror comedy, but it did work. In the end, this did have some entertaining
moments and a little blood, guts, and gore, but it is not for everyone. If you
enjoy some dark humor mixed with blood, give it a look.

Friday, October 24, 2014

For those readers of my blog, you know how much I hate the
globalist depopulation agenda being led by the United Nations under the name of
their Agenda 21 project. Ironically, I learned that today (October 24) was
United Nations Day (how special). So, in honor of this illustrious pawn of the
New World Order, I decided it was time to check out the Agenda 21 themed 2014
action/thriller The Purge: Anarchy.

Plot/ Five strangers are trying to survive Purge Night, when
their lives intersect, and they are left stranded in The Purge to try to
survive the chaos and violence that occurs.

I had put this movie off for some time, as the first
installment from 2013 did nothing for me. In fact, it was one of the more
disappointing flicks of that year. Fortunately, in this case, the sequel was
definitely much better than the original source material, and was definitely
more entertaining. While there were many improvements, the biggest came with
the atmosphere (something that was non-existent in the original), as more of an
action/thriller than horror movie, this concept fits with the overall
storyline. The performances are solid, the imagery is better, and it best of
all, it will help you forget the misery that was the first one in the series.
Sure, there are some questionable decisions made by the characters, there is a
lot of cliché, and for the most part there was a lack of chemistry between the
casts, but no movie is perfect. In the end, this movie may not be great, but it
is much better than its predecessor, and it is entertaining. Give it a shot;
you will likely enjoy it.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

After a trying afternoon dealing with the VA, I decided that
I needed to unwind earlier than usual. With the kids awake, I decided to find
something tamer than usual. After some debate with the voices in my head, I
decided on the 2011 independent entry: Donovan’s Echo.

Plot/ A series of uncanny déjà vu events force a man to
re-examine his tragic past, memory, instinct, and future.

I had never heard of this one when it popped up on the
screen on my Netflix account and decided to role the dice. I am glad that I
did. This rather unknown (and therefore underrated) supernatural themed movie
was a lot better than I ever imagined. The atmosphere was heavy, the storyline
layered, the performances solid, and the characters worked well together. Yes,
it was a touch predictable as there were just enough hints written in to aid in
discovery, and there were a few production/cinematography issues, but that did
little to bring this one down. In the end, this was an entertaining mystery
that dove into an intriguing topic. Check it out; it was definitely a surprise.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Last night was a strange night for flicks in the house. I
started the evening with the entertaining indie picture The Shrine. While it
had a solid story and some interesting moments, the same cannot be said for my
second selection, the 2005 low budget flick, The Slaughterhouse Massacre.

Plot/ Marty Sickle was accused of murdering a young girl
inside the slaughterhouse where he lived. Soon after, four college kids
brutally hung Marty in revenge.

I love low budget cinema, but I realize it can be a mixed bag.
That is exactly what this flick is. OK, not really, it is actually pretty
laughable on many fronts, riddles with a clichéd storyline, subpar special
effects, an uneven script, and performances that in no way are memorable. In
fact, the only entertaining and somewhat memorable attribute of this film is
the amount of gratuitous nudity that definitely takes the overall feel back to
a cheap 1980s direct to VHS slasher. In the end, this low budget slasher is
nothing special and is rather uninspiring. Unless you have no other choices
available, stay away!

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

After taking a night off to play some Diablo III, I decided
to get back into the swing of the season with something different. After some
internal debate, I decided to watch The Shrine from 2010, a flick I should have
watched a long time ago.

Plot/ A group of young journalists investigate a cult said
to practice human sacrifice, but their ambitious ways may lead them to becoming
the cult's next victims.

I have had this movie on my viewing list for some time, and
finally sat down to watch it tonight. I am glad that I did. While there were
some cliché moments, for the most part it had an intriguing storyline that
actually feature a couple of unexpected twists. On top of that, there were some
solid performances, the characters worked, the right amount of blood, and a
darker atmosphere than I expected (playing without subtitles worked well).
Unfortunately, the lack of subtitles in some areas will drive some people away,
and they should not feel that way as it adds some realism to the flick, and yes, the characters do make some dumb decisions (this is a horror movie), but those are just minor issues. In the
end, this one was a lot better than I expected and was an interesting indie
flick that kept me entertained. Sure, it is not perfect, but what movie is. If
you have not seen it, give it a shot; just be warned, it is not all in English.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

While I have never been a huge fan of Science Fiction
writings, I could be changing my approach. This next movie comes from the mind
of author Philip K. Dick (Blade Runner) and offers a glimpse of the reality we
are living in today (even if the sheep want to ignore it). Next up for review
is the 2014 film Radio Free Albemuth.

Plot/ Berkeley record store clerk Nick Brady begins to
experience strange visions from an entity he calls VALIS that cause him to
uproot his family and move to Los Angeles where he becomes a successful music
company executive. With the help of best friend, science-fiction writer Philip
K. Dick himself and a mysterious woman named Silvia, Nick finds himself drawn
into a dangerous political-mystical conspiracy of cosmic proportions.

Let me start by saying that I have never read this book and
cannot tell you how close the adaptation is to what was written. Although, in
this case, I may decide to pick it up and read it, as the idea and storyline
definitely felt real and reminded me of some of the weirdness we are
experiencing in society today. This was an entertaining journey to watch with
an intriguing and layered storyline, solid performances, outstanding
characterizations, great visuals and a big budget feel. Sure, as a character
and story driven movie, it does lack a tremendous amount of action, but that
does nothing to bring the film down. In the end, this mixture of political and
theological intrigue, conspiracy theories, and historical philosophical and subliminal
messages plays out in an educational and entertaining manner, and is a must see
for everyone. Check it out!

Saturday, October 18, 2014

After some old school mysteries including some silent films,
I decided to find something different for my Saturday night. While I do have a
Sci-Fi flick on right now, I started the night with the 2013 found
footage/reality show based Delivery: The Beast Within.

Plot/Delivery tells the story of Kyle and Rachel Massy, a
young couple who agree to document their first pregnancy for a family oriented
reality show. The production spirals out-of-control after the cameras capture a
series of unexplained events, leading Rachel to believe that a malevolent
spirit has possessed their unborn child.

When I saw this one at Family Video, I expected another
found footage flick. While this one does have some of those elements, this one
came with a realism that is often contrived in other flicks from the genre. In
fact, this one has a lot to like with a believable script (minus the
midwife/home birth), solid acting, outstanding pacing, and the right amount of
atmosphere to keep you interested. Sure, there is some tension, but there are
minimal (if any) scares, and it fits better as an unnerving thriller vice
horror movie. In the end, this is a believable and entertaining flick that has
an intriguing storyline. If you are looking for blood, guts, and demons, this
one is not for you. However, if you want a creepy and believable thriller, give
it a shot.

Friday, October 17, 2014

I love October; it gives me even more of an excuse to watch
different styles of movies in preparation for Halloween. Every once in a while,
I decide to venture way back in time for some classic noir cinema, which is the
case with my next review: The Red House from 1947.

Plot/ An old man and his sister are concealing a terrible
secret from their adopted teen daughter, concerning a hidden abandon farmhouse,
located deep in the woods.

I watched this film for the first time tonight and was
surprise by some of the material. This surprise was not because of what the
material was, it was because when the movie came out (1947). Honestly, some of
this may have been considered taboo during that era. This one has some solid
acting, a perfect soundtrack, and a layered storyline that kept me entertained
throughout. Sure, it was not perfect, but it was one of the more atmospheric
movies from that era. In the end, this piece of noir cinema is entertaining and
rather twisted considering its age; if you have not seen it and love movies
from that period, give it a shot. This is definitely an underrated gem!

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Last night, I took a break from movies to do some writing.
Yes, that piece, which I posted yesterday, is zombie themed and I know that
zombies are saturating the world, but this short story is part of something
much larger and layered. Tonight, I decided to venture into some paranormal
areas with my movie selection, the 2012 indie entry A Haunting at Preston
Castle (AKA Preston Castle).

Plot/ When three friends set out for an innocent, late night
adventure, they encounter more than ever imagined. Inspired by true events at
northern California’s infamous haunted house, Preston Castle, the question is
whether these three will survive the night.

This flick is another loosely based true story based in an
actual haunted location: Preston Castle (in California). While there is really
nothing new in this film, it did surprise me as the pacing actually built
throughout and there were some decent cinematic elements. Unfortunately, there
is nothing new in this one, as the acting is uneven, the scripting is weak, and
there is truly nothing memorable inside. In the end, this cliché filled movie
does nothing more than help pass some time during writing. Sure, if you are a
fan of movies based on true haunted locations, you may enjoy it, but trust me; there
is nothing in this that you have not seen before.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

The boulevard at last, we have
finally made it through the city; our salvation lies ahead. I think we are safe
for the moment. At least, we are as safe as we can be in this plagued
nightmare. We should stop and rest; there are no signs of those beasts anywhere
and we will need all of our energy to make it out of the city. If my
calculations are correct, we have about two miles until we hit the bridge and
nine miles to our sanctuary.

We do not have long though. Our
pheromones make us tempting entrées out here in the open. I still cannot
believe how the immunization has mutated; it never should have caused this type
of reaction. I swear we are living in some type of butterfly effect. Damn, I
wish I had brought a gun. Yes, these vile beasts can be can be killed at close
range with a targeted blow to the head, but I would still prefer to distance
myself from them. Are you about ready to move again?

Great, just
in time. Look, over by the Console Energy Center, here they come. Damn, their
senses are even better than I imagined. Amazing! It is incredible how the
outbreak has spread so quickly through the population; there has to be 5000 or so
packed into that small area (way too many for me to stand here and count,
that’s for sure). Time to move on; we must hurry.

Quickly, down this alley. I
remember this from when I was a freshman at Duquesne. Yes, this should aid our
escape. God… Wrong turn! Damn it, those creatures are everywhere. How could
they have surrounded us so quickly? It is almost as if they knew we were coming
this way, like they knew our escape route. What to do, what to do? I guess… Paul?

Paul… Stop… There are far too many
for you to handle. We must take refuge. Look, that building would be perfect; the foundation is
built on the shoreline. Maybe there is a boat in that shed down there we could
find something to aid in our escape. Paul… Get back here! Mark, John, head inside… Paul…

Stop it Paul! Please! Please stop, I
have enough blood on my hands from this experiment. I could not live with
myself if I lost another. No! Over Here! No, leave him alone! It, It is me you
want. Hey, over here! Damn you… Stop… Oh god, what have I done? Paul, not you,
you bastards want me! I did this; I created you. I built the lab and designed
the vaccination. Take me! Here I am; yes, leave him alone. I deserve to die.
Please lord, have them take me and not Paul, he is innocent.

That is the
way, leave him… If only I had some type of weapon. Paul, run! Meet Mark and
John in that building, I will be right behind you. Run, run as fast as you can;
they are listening, coming for me. Yes, Paul, that door! You are almost there,
20-yards and you will be safe! Ten more steps Paul, that is all, just ten more.
Thank god…

No! Stop!
No! Where did that abomination come from? You bastard! Get your mouth off him.
Oh God, Paul, no. God, he is tearing into his neck, ripping at his flesh. Oh
God, no, not Paul!